 | The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
|
| The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
Michael F. Polgar, PhD1, David E. Pollio, PhD1, and Carol S. North, MD, MPE2. (1) George Warren Brown School of Social Work, Washington University, One Brookings Dr., Box 1196, St. Louis, MO 63130-4899, (314) 935-9740, polgar@gwbmail.wustl.edu, (2) School of Medicine, Washington University, Department of Psychiatry, 660 S Euclid, CB 8134, Renard Building, Room 2210, St. Louis, MO 63110
Three consequences of homelessness present important concerns for public health systems. First, the primary burdens of homelessness are difficulties and problems experienced those individuals and families who lack housing. Secondary burdens of homelessness are borne by families related to homeless individuals, who are affected by incremental problems through stress proliferation and family burdens. Social support and coping mechanisms, like empowerment and self-efficacy, buffer some of this stress. Third, homelessness is a social problem recognized and served by public and private organizations and coalitions. The homeless service system is a broad and complex set of agencies with various specialties, including health care, basic needs, and housing services. Families that include a homeless adult family member experience unique challenges which are distinct from those of homeless families. Pairing a survey of homeless adults with a survey of their domiciled relatives, we create a sample of 135 family pairs. Our survey shows that families experience stress related to three types of secondary burdens. These include stress on relationships, stress on daily living, and responsibilities related to disabilities. Families whose homeless relative is also mentally ill report significantly more stress. However there are also empowering aspects to these difficult experiences, including family strengths and perceived benefits such as greater self-efficacy, compassion, and spirituality. Public health programs and social work designed to help people who are homeless may benefit from understanding the family consequences of homelessness among adults. This research is supported by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), R03-DA14364
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Homelessness, Family Involvement
Related Web page: gwbweb.wustl.edu/projects/Families/
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.